March 2020 Student Emails

March 31 - Reporting COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure

March 23 - You may be eligible for a computer

March 23 - Stay-at-home order, move to remote operations and learning

March 19 - Temperature recommendations

March 19 - Guidance for students

March 19 - Available financial resources

March 18 - Online student support services

March 17 - A message from the Division of Nursing

March 17 - Town Hall meeting link

March 13 - Course start date for second week term

March 12 - Move to online delivery

March 11 - Steps to minimize impact

March 31, 2020 - Reporting COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure

Please review the information below on additional steps the College has taken to continue to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Process for Reporting COVID-19 Diagnosis or Exposure

Students should adhere to the following guidance upon learning that they have contracted the coronavirus or come in direct contact with an individual (classmate, family member, etc.) with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.

Students with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19

Students should follow all medical advice given directly by their physician. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if not hospitalized, students should self-isolate for 14 days after the cessation of all symptoms and seek further medical assistance if their symptoms worsen.

The student or a family member should notify their instructor(s) via email, who will notify College personnel if the student visited any area of a College campus between March 13-March 27, 2020, for the purpose of special sanitation.

The student or family member should describe, in detail, any members of the College community with whom the student came in contact between March 13-27, 2020 (i.e., from the date they began exhibiting symptoms). These details should include date, time, exact location (campus, building and room number) and duration of contact. The student should also disclose the date they first began to exhibit symptoms. Notice will be given to exposed students or employees to self-isolate for 14 days. Efforts to protect the privacy of affected student(s) and employee(s) will be taken.

Students directly exposed to an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19

In accordance with the CDC, students should self-isolate for 14 days, monitor their symptoms and seek further medical assistance if they develop symptoms or their symptoms worsen. If at any time the student receives a confirmation of testing positive for the virus, they should report those results to their instructor(s) and contact their primary care physician to report the exposure. Students should follow all medical advice given directly by their physician and seek to be tested if given an order by their physician. If a student does not have a primary care physician, they can call the MetroHealth System’s COVID-19 hotline at 440-59-COVID (440-592-6843).

Please remember that, according to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).

These symptoms may include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Achiness
• Severe headaches

The CDC has posted a Coronavirus Self-Checker on its website as a guide to help students make decisions and seek appropriate medical care.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to respond to this evolving situation. Please stay healthy and safe.

March 23, 2020 - You may be eligible for a computer

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) is teaming with PCs for People to provide computers to students so they can continue their studies as Tri-C shifts to online delivery of many classes following the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

To be eligible, a student must live in a household with an income below the 200% poverty level or be enrolled in an income-based government assistance program. Federal Pell Grant recipients would qualify.

Students can apply for a computer through PCs for People, a nonprofit dedicated to getting computers and affordable internet service into the homes of low-income individuals.

Registration can be done by calling 216-777-4441 or emailing ohio@pcsforpeople.com.

The Cuyahoga Community College Foundation is covering the cost of the computers for eligible Tri-C students. The Foundation launched the project to address needs created by the response to COVID-19.

Computers and “internet hotspot” devices from PCs for People will be distributed to approved applicants at two Tri-C sites this week. Details on pickup locations will be provided following registration.

Given that the distribution is for education purposes and will be done outside, it will take place despite recent actions to limit access to campus buildings given the COVID-19 outbreak. Campus police will be at both sites to direct traffic.

Visit pcsforpeople.org to learn more about the organization.

March 23, 2020 - Stay-at-home order, move to remote operations and learning

Yesterday, Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statewide stay-at-home order to combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). As part of our ongoing commitment to protect the well-being of our students, faculty and staff, and in support of this directive, Tri-C will take the following additional steps.

Beginning Tuesday, March 24, until Monday, April 6, remaining on-site College operations — with the exception of Public Safety, Plant Operations and key administrative functions — will be performed remotely. This means that all on-site student services and classes are suspended, and access to Tri-C buildings will be limited to staff involved in critical areas of operation.

As previously announced, the College began remote instruction of most classes today. In-person student support services, available on campus through today, were also available online. These classes and services will continue online.

The College will provide guidance on labs and other hands-on learning classes as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience as we determine the best solution under these circumstances. Students who have questions should contact their instructors. If you do not know how to reach your instructor, contact your associate academic dean.

This unprecedented time presents challenges for all of us. As we have mentioned before, overcoming challenges is what we do best at Tri-C. Together, we will persevere and come out stronger, smarter and more compassionate than ever before.

Stay safe and visit this webpage for updates, answers to frequently asked questions and information on available assistance.

March 19, 2020 - Temperature recommendations

During his daily press conference yesterday, Gov. Mike DeWine called on businesses to take the body temperatures of on-site employees and send anyone with a fever home. Currently, this is a recommendation rather than a state mandate. Tri-C recommends that students take their own temperature prior to coming on-site and, following CDC guidelines, stay home if they have a temperature above 100.4 degrees. Keep in mind that an individual without a fever could potentially be a carrier. This measure is being taken as a precaution and to comply with guidance provided by the Governor and the Ohio Department of Health.

March 19, 2020 - Guidance for students

Thank you for everything you have done over the past few weeks to adapt to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak. We understand that the volume and pace of change and communication has been extraordinary. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we make decisions that are in the best interest of the entire College community.

We have taken steps to slow the spread of the coronavirus by moving the majority of our classes and services online and reducing the number students, faculty and staff on our campuses.

In light of our ongoing responsive planning to combat COVID-19, and the potential for a mandate from Gov. Mike DeWine, we are now preparing for the possibility that all classes and services may need to transition to a completely online environment.

In this scenario, the College would continue to provide remote learning and online services. On-site student services, remaining on-site technical or experiential courses, and access to campuses and buildings would be suspended.

Specific Guidance for Students

We know that some of you do not have access to computers or internet connectivity and rely on the College’s Technology Learning Centers. If so, please contact your instructor for possible alternative assignments. You should also begin exploring other options to meet your technology needs.

Currently, campus student service centers are open and providing in-person assistance. Beginning Monday, March 23, these in-person services will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. only.

March 19, 2020 - Available financial resources

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has brought unprecedented change to our daily lives. The College knows this is a challenging time and that students may need help. We want to remind you of the resources available to assist you, including those listed below.

EMERGENCY FUNDS
Students can access emergency funds from the College through the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office. Students who need help during this difficult time ― whether for educational resources, food or other expenses ― should contact the office to determine eligibility.

CAMPUS FOOD PANTRIES
Each Tri-C campus has a food pantry where students can obtain food and personal items. Visit Student Life and Athletics/Student Engagement for details.

FINANCIAL AID
Two-thirds of Tri-C students receive financial aid and scholarships, with an average award of more than $4,700 to help pay for tuition, books and living expenses. Contact the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office to apply for financial aid or check your financial aid status.

HOURS
The Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office and campus food pantries will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, March 20. Beginning Monday, March 23, they will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please continue to monitor emails for potential adjustments moving forward.

Questions? To connect with a financial aid advisor, Start a Live Chat.

March 18, 2020 - Online student services and resources

As the College makes unprecedented changes to program delivery in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we’d like to remind you of the many student support and enrollment services available online to guide you for the remainder of this semester and forward on your academic journey.

Please take advantage of these online resources to minimize face-to-face interaction and adhere to safe distancing guidelines designed to limit the spread of the virus. The College offers many services — including counseling and tutoring — by phone and email. These virtual options may eliminate the need to visit Technology Learning Centers and Learning Resource Centers on campus.

The following online student services are available to support your needs during this transition to online and remote learning.

ONLINE ENROLLMENT SERVICES

Academic Counseling:

• Counseling Center Hours and Information
• e-Advising
• Schedule an Appointment

Application for Admission: Apply

Assessment/Testing: Testing Center Hours and Information

College Credit Plus (CCP):

• College Credit Plus Information
• CCP Student and Parent Checklist

Financial Aid: Student Financial Aid and Scholarships

International Student Services: International Student Information

New Student Orientation:

• Information and FAQ
• Online Orientation

Registration: Register for Classes

Student Accessibility Services: Information and Resources

Tuition Payments: Pay Tuition

ONLINE STUDENT SERVICES

Bookstore:

• Barnes & Noble Bookstore
• Find Textbooks
• Textbook Rentals

Career Services:

• Career Services Information
• Student Career Services
• Schedule an Online Appointment

Library:

• Library Information
• Staff Directory
• Access Your ‘My Library’ Account

Psychological Counseling:

• Personal Counseling
• Help Is Here

Technology Learning Centers: Hours and Locations

Transfer Centers:

• Transfer Center Information
• Schedule an Appointment

Tutoring Services:

• Tutoring Information
• Smarthinking Online Tutoring

Veteran Services: Veteran Resources

LIVE CHAT SERVICES
Start a Live Chat

Live Chat representatives are available to respond to questions regarding:

• Admissions and Registration
• College Information Center
• Financial Aid
• Nursing

Starting Wednesday, March 18, Live Chat will be available for the following service areas:

• College Credit Plus Students
• International Student Services
• Transfer Center
• Veteran Student Services

GOT A QUESTION? ASK TRI-C!
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions at Ask Tri-C.

We will continue to evaluate new information as it becomes available and provide timely updates to the entire College community. Your understanding as guidelines shift in response to emerging information is greatly appreciated.

If you have questions, email today@tri-c.edu or contact the dean of student affairs at your campus. We will do our best to provide answers as we work through this situation.

March 17 - Town hall meeting

Did you miss the Virtual Town Hall for students? Watch it here

• Get updates from Dr. Johnson and others on the College’s response to the coronavirus.
• Learn about the steps the College is taking to continue classes and provide services to support you.

March 17, 2020 - A message from the Division of Nursing

As COVID-19 concerns continue to impact us on a daily basis, the decision has been made to suspend nursing skills labs and clinical rotations until further notice. The evolving nature of this situation has forced the division to make difficult decisions surrounding the continuation of nursing education at Tri-C. While we do not know when face-to-face restrictions will be lifted, we do ask that you have a plan in place should labs and clinicals resume in the coming weeks. Because standards set by our accrediting bodies must be met, missed time and experiences must be completed if/when we are able to continue.

This suspension is effective beginning March 18, 2020. Check your Tri-C email and Blackboard sites regularly for updates, announcements and other communications from the College and the division.

March 13, 2020 - Course start date for second week term

Yesterday, you received an important message about your Spring 2020 courses. As you now know, Cuyahoga Community College will move to online or other remote delivery of classes through the end of the semester. This includes courses scheduled to begin Monday, March 16, or later.

We want to clarify the message so that you understand how your specific course — including the start date — may be impacted.

ONLINE CLASSES

• All online-only classes will continue as originally scheduled on March 16.

BLENDED LEARNING CLASSES

• All blended-learning classes — meaning those with online and in-person components — will continue as originally scheduled on March 16 but WITHOUT on-campus sessions. Blended classes will be taught fully online, with no face-to-face component.

FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES

• Face-to-face credit classes will not take place the week of March 16-22.
• All face-to-face classes will be taught remotely beginning Monday, March 23. Instruction will be delivered either online or through other methods such as phone or video conference.

Remote delivery of these classes will continue through the end of the semester. There will be no face-to-face credit classes for the remainder of spring semester. Specific information on delivery methods will be communicated by your instructors within the next week.

The delivery of performance classes (art, dance, etc.) and labs are currently being evaluated. Holding these classes online or through other options is particularly challenging. We will provide further guidance on these issues as soon as possible.

STUDENT SERVICES, CAMPUS SERVICES AND CAMPUS FACILITIES

• Tri-C campuses will remain open and operational at this time to provide access to all student support services (computer labs, counseling, enrollment centers, financial aid, libraries, testing centers, tutoring, etc.)
• The Technology Learning Centers and Learning Resource Centers will remain open to support online learning.

We will evaluate new information on the coronavirus situation as it becomes available and will continue providing timely updates to the entire College community. Your understanding as guidelines shift in response to emerging information is greatly appreciated.

If you have questions, email today@tri-c.edu or contact your campus dean of student affairs. We will do our best to provide answers as we work through this situation.

March 12, 2020 - Move to online delivery

Yesterday, you received a message from Tri-C President Alex Johnson regarding the College’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As you now know, Cuyahoga Community College will move to online or other remote delivery through the end of the semester.

In order to protect our campuses and communities, Tri-C will take the following actions. If you are unsure about your class type or designation, please log in to my Tri-C space and view your schedule.

CREDIT CLASSES

• Face-to-face credit classes will not take place the week of March 16-22.
• Beginning Monday, March 23, class instruction will be delivered remotely via online or other methods such as phone or video conference. Remote delivery will continue through the end of the semester. There will be no face-to-face credit classes for the remainder of spring semester.
• All online-only or blended-learning (online and in-person) classes will continue as originally scheduled on March 16. Blended classes will be taught fully online, with no face-to-face component.
• Clinical rotations for health careers students will continue, unless advised otherwise by the program manager or instructor.
• Performance classes (art, dance, etc.) and labs are currently being evaluated. Moving to online or other remote delivery is particularly challenging for these courses. We will provide further guidance on these issues as soon as possible.
• Faculty received information on next steps yesterday.
• You may receive a message from Blackboard indicating that your online course is now available. Specific information on delivery methods will be communicated by your instructors within the next week.
• The Technology Learning Centers and Learning Resource Centers will remain open to support online learning.

NONCREDIT AND WORKFORCE CLASSES

• Noncredit workforce training courses and Corporate College classes will continue as scheduled. If you are in a workforce program that receives credit, please contact your instructor.
• Encore Campus Fridays and Neighborhood Scholars classes are postponed through March 31. We will continually monitor the situation and provide additional details.
• Tri-C Access Centers (at Esperanza Inc., University Hospitals Otis Moss Jr. Health Center and MetroHealth Medical Center) will continue operations as long as the locations remain open.

STUDENT SERVICES, CAMPUS SERVICES AND CAMPUS FACILITIES

• Our campuses will remain open and operational at this time. This includes all student support services (computer labs, counseling, enrollment centers, financial aid, libraries, testing centers, tutoring, etc.)
• The Technology Learning Centers and Learning Resource Centers will remain open to support online learning.
• Campus fitness centers and pools are closed until April 1.

The College continues to evaluate new information as it becomes available and provide timely updates to the entire College community. Your understanding as guidelines shift in response to emerging information is greatly appreciated.

If you have questions, email today@tri-c.edu or contact your campus dean of student affairs. We will do our best to provide answers as we work through this situation.

March 11, 2020 - Steps to minimize impact

On March 9, public health officials confirmed three cases of COVID-19 in Cuyahoga County. In response, Gov. Mike DeWine declared a State of Emergency in Ohio, an action that allows state departments and agencies to better coordinate their responses and access federal resources.

Yesterday, further recommendations were issued for higher education that include transitioning in-person instruction to online learning and limiting high attendance gatherings.

Today, we’d like to update you on steps the College has taken to minimize the potential impact of an outbreak. College leadership is meeting daily to proactively guide Tri-C’s response and preparation. We will provide additional updates on a regular basis as the situation unfolds.

Please review the information below and check the Tri-C website regularly for updates.

Facilities and Services

• Most Tri-C facilities are open and operating as usual. This includes client events and activities at Corporate College locations.
• Fitness centers and pools are closed, effective immediately, reopening April 1.

Student and Faculty Guidelines (Academic/Credit Classes)

• Face-to-face classes are postponed until March 23, allowing faculty time to prepare for remote instruction. These classes will be delivered online or by phone, video conference or other methods through the end of the semester. Faculty will contact their students with details within the next week.
• Classes that are currently taught fully or partially online (blended) will resume as scheduled on March 16. Blended classes will be taught fully online, with no face-to-face component.
• Clinical rotations will continue, unless advised otherwise by the program manager or instructor. We are currently evaluating classroom experiences, such as laboratory and performance classes, and will provide guidance soon.
• There are no changes to the academic calendar or commencement at this time.

Student and Faculty Guidelines (Workforce/Noncredit Classes)

• Workforce training and Corporate College classes will continue as scheduled.
• Encore Campus Fridays and Neighborhood Scholars classes are postponed until April 1.
• Tri-C Access Centers (at Esperanza, Inc., Olivet Housing and Community Development Corp., and MetroHealth Medical Center) will continue operations as long as community partner locations remain open.

Campus Meetings and Events (Including Athletics)
In keeping with guidance to help prevent the spread of the virus by limiting large events:

• Athletic events will continue as scheduled; however, spectators will be limited to immediate families of student-athletes at all indoor events.
• All College-sponsored campus events are cancelled until further notice.
• Community and business organization events scheduled at Tri-C locations, including Corporate College, will continue at the discretion of the organization holding the event.

Tri-C Travel Guidance
We have updated the travel guidance issued on March 5 as follows:

• All College-sponsored international or domestic travel for faculty, staff and students is suspended until further notice, with the exception of College-sponsored athletic team travel.
• The College recommends avoiding personal travel to or through any country with Level 2 or 3 designation from the CDC. Members of the College community returning from travel to or through Level 2 and 3 countries are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Consult the CDC website for updates, and check our public website for the full updated policy.

We will continue to evaluate new information as it becomes available and provide timely updates to the entire College community. Your understanding as guidelines shift in response to emerging information is greatly appreciated.

If you have questions, email Today@Tri-C.edu, and we will do our best to provide answers as we work through this situation.

In the meantime, let’s work together to keep everyone healthy and safe.
— Alex Johnson